Statue of Liberty's renovated crown to reopen this weekend

NEW YORK (REUTERS) - The crown of the Statue of Liberty will reopen to the public on Sunday - the 126th anniversary of its dedication - after a year-long renovation to make the New York landmark safer and more accessible to people in wheelchairs.

The US$30 million (S$37 million) renovation of the statue, which towers over Liberty Island in New York Harbor, improved fire alarms, sprinkler systems and exit routes to bring Lady Liberty in line with New York City safety codes, the National Park Service said.

There are also more stairs than ever before, with a daunting 393 steps to the crown, where there were previously 354 slightly steeper steps. Wheelchair accessible elevators inside the pedestal bring visitors to just below Lady Liberty's sandals.

The statue is 46 meters from base to torch. It sits atop the 27-meter tall stone pedestal, which sits on a 20-meter tall foundation in the shape of a star.